By Marcus Samuelsson | April 20, 2012

Photo: gomezoscar

One of the world’s most anticipated and watched soccer match, ‘El Clasico,’ is just one day away! For those who follow soccer, you’ll agree with me that what makes this game even more special is that there’s only 5 games left to play in La Liga and Real Madrid have a 4 point lead, meaning this game will probably decide who will win the league title this season.

While I’m anxiously waiting to watch the match along with millions of others, I can’t help but think about the history behind these two teams and cities in general. In addition to hosting two of the biggest names in soccer, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, these two teams represent one of the biggest rivalries in history, and not only in soccer but also in food and politics, that still exists today.

While both cities reside in Spain, the customs and cultures vary to the max in each location. Barcelona is known for its Catalan heritage that has existed in the northeast state of Spain for centuries. That region still speaks the Catalan language and is extremely proud of its food, art, music and Catalan customs. While Barcelona differentiates itself by celebrating its distinct traditions, the capital of Spain, Madrid, is known for more an amalgamation of the cultures of all of Spain’s distinct states like Catalunya, Basque Country, and Galicia. Their pride comes from the national collective of influences.

Besides soccer, food is also one of Spain’s biggest passions. Read More

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Whether it’s finding the best goat tacos in LA, spotting a well-worn vintage bag in Sweden, or interviewing the “crab man” selling seafood on a corner in Harlem, we tell stories seen from Chef Marcus Samuelsson‘s point of view. MarcusSamuelsson.com strives to create conversations about food, nutrition, culture, art, and design. We want to find Read More